Stokes Takes 6 Wickets in English Test Series Preparation Match
Practice game, Lilac Hill (day one of three)
England Lions 382: Jacks 84, Ben McKinney 67; Stokes 6-52
England XI: awaiting batting
Ben Stokes achieved 6 scalps in his first action since July but England encountered an injury concern involving Mark Wood on the opening day of their Test preparation versus England Lions in Western Australia.
Skipper's Outstanding Return
Stokes, making his comeback after almost four months away with a shoulder problem, bowled sixteen overs across three spells for his 6-52 against the Lions – each to catches on the on-side.
Wood's Fitness Worry
Fast bowler Mark Wood, himself returning after nine months out with a knee injury, delivered a scheduled amount of 8 overs before exiting the field in the post-lunch session because of a hamstring issue. He will undergo scanning on Friday.
The Wood situation removed the energy out of the day, as the Lions were bowled out for 382 on a sluggish pitch after an uncontested toss at the venue.
Squad Strategy
England wanted to field first to get overs in their legs before the initial Test match at the main venue, beginning on 21 November.
In a potential indication towards their opening Test strategy, the visiting team selected an all-pace attack – four specialists plus Stokes – and left spin bowler Shoaib Bashir in the Lions.
Batting Standouts
Bethell didn't strengthen his claim for selection in the Test side, making only two, but Jacks enhanced his claim to be called upon later in the tour by scoring 84.
Ben McKinney, Cox, teenage Rew and Matthew Potts also scored half-centuries.
Low-key Environment
The team's decision to play a solitary practice match against the development squad has been criticized by some former players but Stokes responded by labeling the critics "past players".
A low-pressure first day in front of a smattering of spectators at the ground was definitely a different experience from what England will encounter at a sold-out main stadium the following week.
Stokes Supreme Performance
The captain was superb in the contest against India in the home summer, only to strain himself to breaking point. He missed the final Test with a shoulder tear.
The captain has not completed a complete participation in any of the team's past four tours because of various injuries and the team's chances of winning back the Ashes are vastly diminished if he misses any of the five matches in the host country.
He has been bowling at maximum speed for two months and appeared in fine shape on Wednesday, even if he could not believe the way in which some of his dismissals were presented.
Jacks Strengthens Case
Will Jacks is not expected to play in the first Test – the team look to have revealed their intentions with the eleven named here. Nevertheless, he may have nudged himself ahead of the struggling Jacob Bethell with his 84, which came at nearly run-a-ball pace.
Even before the doubt over Mark Wood, the five fast bowlers in the team lineup for this match may not have been the bowling unit for the first Test.
Brydon Carse was absent from the first day because of illness, with his place going to Josh Tongue. Josh Tongue had opening batsman McKinney caught behind just after the break.
Although Stokes took the wickets, Jofra Archer impressed observers. He was lively with the new ball and again after lunch, when he discomforted Jacks.
In the omission of Shoaib Bashir and with Wood leaving the field, Joe Root was required to bowl 14 overs of his off-spin. It was mediocre fare, conceding 117 at an economy of more than eight.
Root at least took a scalp in the final session when Fisher unexpectedly hit a full toss to the fielder before Jofra Archer dismissed with a bouncer Matthew Potts for fifty-three with the final ball of the day.
